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Gojira(1954) and GKOTM(1956); Discuss these two films & their DVDs
Topic Started: Jan 31 2006, 09:04 PM (10,793 Views)
NWV
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I'm going to go out probably next week and get Classic Media's Japanese/English release of this movie.

I'm also going to get one other Godzilla movie (I'm trying to limit myself incase it turns out I have to do more school-work than I expected), though I haven't decided yet. It'll either be:

- Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II
- Godzilla 2000

I like both of these movies so much. But I can't really decide. Help?
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Guardian7
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NeoWraithVenom - I vote for G2000... just because it has a better story and the human element is better (IMO).

G2K - That is cool about the Rampage maps. Has it been done with all the TOHO Giant Monster movies? or just Godzilla?
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G2Kmaster
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Just the Godzilla movies as far as I know. I think someone with alot of Japanese illustrated books would know better though.
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Guardian7
Jan 26 2010, 02:17 PM
NeoWraithVenom - I vote for G2000... just because it has a better story and the human element is better (IMO).

G2K - That is cool about the Rampage maps. Has it been done with all the TOHO Giant Monster movies? or just Godzilla?
Yeah, I eventually settled on that one. Thanks for the advice.

The judgement scene alone puts that movie so high on my list.

So exactly how different is the Gojira compared to KOTM?
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packmule
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NeoWraithVenom
Feb 2 2010, 04:57 PM
So exactly how different is the Gojira compared to KOTM?
The original, Gojira(1954), is considerably different than the Americanized version which aired in U.S. theaters two years later in 1956. In the original version there is no Raymond Burr or other accompanying actors whose scenes were inserted into the film, less than seamlessly I might add. The original version is longer and includes many more scenes between the human cast of characters. It is generally regarded as being much better than the American version, called Godzilla King Of The Monsters.
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NWV
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I know Raymond Burr isn't in it, I just wanted to know how much else was added and how much was taken out.
Edited by NWV, Feb 3 2010, 06:11 PM.
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Guardian7
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My only advice is to find a copy of Gojira 1954 (I have Toho Collections Gojira which has both versions of the film) and watch it.
The differences are so vast as to make the two films in my opinion incomparable (The whole human character elements - which also adds a slightly missing impact of Godzilla's onslaught to Tokyo).
I would give you spoilers... but I honestly say find it and buy it (If you have an FYE or similar store near you, you could buy a used copy which is cheaper).. It will be the one Kaijuu film in your life that you will never regret owning (next to such greats as KK33 and possibly Beast20000fathoms oh and "THEM!" LOL).

I actually wish there was a way to incorporate the Raymond Burr stuff into the original film without marring it up. But I doubt that would be at all easy considering the overlay of (some) scenes.
I personally do not believe the Burr stuff changes the story... it just omits certain (very telling and somewhat chilling) character parts and Japanese citizen comments. mostly the more overtly anti-war and anti-nuclear sequences were cut.

I am sure you can find a great review of both films somewhere (on the web) that may tell the differences between the films more accurately.

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packmule
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This article is an excellent summary and review of the 1954 original film and some specifics on the differences between it and the Americanized version: http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/2007/11/godzilla-1954-film-dvd-review/
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NWV
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Gojira came in the mail today and I just finished watching it. This is indeed a much more powerful film than King of the Monsters! So many things were changed and replaced in KotM, all for the sake of keeping the American audience unoffended... They really should have risked it. But then, the original Gojira wouldn't be quite as prized as it is today without an inferior version. It would still have been a masterpiece, but the contrast between the films makes it shine a little brighter...

The American edits for KotM really hurt the film. Some of it was dubbing vs. original language track, but every difference between the two films really shows. Less than two hours prior to the time of this post, I thought it was an exaggeration, but Gojira itself is a much more serious and tragic film, due in no small way to the direct translation provided by the subtitles that dubbing was unable to provide. Adding to this are some dialogue sequences that were cut from the film all together, both large and small. In King of the Monsters, during Godzilla's second raid on Tokyo we see a woman holding her children to her, but because the dialogue was cut from this sequence and the clip itself was shortened, I passed it off as inaudible sobbing that noone would hear in the rampage. Watching this moment again, unbutchered, in Gojira, however, I heard and read her heartbreaking words...

The scenes of devastation, trauma, and agony were also cut short in the American release, and seeing them as they were before they had come stateside really brought me miles deeper into the tragedy pool. The meeting in the courthouse that discussed the origins of Godzilla, seeing the end of that scene in Gojira was a deep contrast with the King of the Monsters version.

Also included in this release of the DVD is a booklet, which contains an essay, for lack of a better word, by Steve Ryfle, which details the well-known background behind the making of the movie, such as the Lucky-Dragon No.5 incident and contains several other common-knowlegde details, such as the famous "Theme of the Film" quote by Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka. However, it also goes into detail about things that I for one had never read or heard before, such as Ishiro Honda's haunting experience coming home from the war. The essay continues on through the production and release of both versions of the film, and I don't thing anyone could have come up with a better conclusion, stating what all of us have fans have tried to explain in a way that would attact the attention of those who have fallen out of the fandom or have not been introduced.

Classic Media has really done Godzilla justice with this release, and done a great honor to many fans stuck on this side of the pacific.
Edited by NWV, Feb 12 2010, 11:07 PM.
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Guardian7
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That was an excellent post.
It mirrored all I thought and think as well.
Once you watch it several more times you will (possibly) pick up some new things you missed.
It is like watching a whole new film (even though you already know the ending). The changes were so drastic (at least in the Poster's honest opinion) that is is wholly a different film.
The Americanization of the film wasn't that horrible (you have probably always liked it before this... and there is a nostalgic aura for me with GKoM). Though --Yes it was indeed hacked up. But considering the times... and the (justified in SOME cases) dislike or out and out hatred of the Japanese (Still) in the period of 1954... we might just thank our lucky stars the film even made it to American Shores (even as Americanized as it was).
Having been a bit of a WWII movie buff and liking Military films from that period -- including the many many documentaries I have seen/own on the WWII - Including many previously unreleased footage and recent more accurate retelling events of the war. The Japanese were in many cases just as bad as the Nazis if not in some cases worse. As bad as the Nazis were (and what they were was utterly inhuman in many cases) -- they did treat their prisoners of war nearly as fair as the Allies did. Those captured by the Japanese were not so lucky.
It was an ugly (if not one of thee most ugly) periods of human history. Everyone did shameful acts (Even the Atomic Bombs were rather shameful in hindsight - though in effect kind of necessary -- I just wish they could have dropped a warning one rather than such massive tactical hits).
Americans were never exposed to what the bombings did to Japan... I believe we were almost shielded from it.
The comments and actions within Gojira certainly speak of those happenings. In a way that only the people of that country could truly understand. The after effects really mirrored some of the (lighter) aftereffects of the Bombings... but the woman with her children was the one instance that gets to me... because it was like "Here it comes again".
Gojira is a deeply moving film (and probably one of the single best Giant Monster films EVER made). It is not watered down (as the American version) and certainly deserves to stand side by side with King Kong (33).

G7
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I agree. It deserves to be put in the list with Frankenstein and the Wolfman. The emotion revolving around the characters is amazing.
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G2Kmaster
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I got to say, the shot of Godzilla's back as he is leaving the mainland after his maiden visit to Tokyo (right before the big apocalyptic destruction cluster) with him roaring - in the Japanese version is pretty scary IMO. It is pretty much no sound except with a faint touch of Ifukube's music. As effective as how the abominable snowmonster in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964) - and when I was a child, that was very effective.
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packmule
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Somehow I managed to overlook the fact that Godzilla is celebrating a birthday today. On this day back in 1954 the very first Godzilla film was released in Japanese theaters. The film, of course is Gojira.

Hard to believe that Godzilla has been around fifty six(56) years. Happy Birthday to the world's greatest cinematic monster and here's hoping we enjoy another 56 years of films featuring Godzilla! dancing admin
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Russzilla
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Just watched Godzilla, King of the Monsters on TCM HD tonight, and for the first time, I noticed end credits on this movie that ran for almost two minutes that I don't think I ever noticed before. (albeit, I haven't watched the Americanized Godzilla for a very long time since I have had the subtitled version in one form or another for many years now)

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Russzilla
Jun 2 2011, 10:26 PM
Just watched Godzilla, King of the Monsters on TCM HD tonight
So did I. I used my DVR to record all the Toho films that were broadcast and also Dinosaurus(1960).

The inserted scenes featuring Raymond Burr are obviously not seamless and I can see why many kaiju film fans are critical of them in this movie. The dubbing also left a lot to be desired, especially the dialogue provided by the character of paleontologist Dr. Yamane.

Still, GKOTM is a nostalgic favorite of mine as it is the first Godzilla film I ever watched on TV(about 1970 when I was eight years old).

I have always considered Raymond Burr's performance in GKOTM to be solid. He delivers his lines effectively without being hammy or melodramatic. thumbz up
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MegalonIsNotPleased
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Gojira: 7.5/10
Godzilla king of the monsters: 4.5/10
they dumbed it down in the american version simply too much
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MegalonIsNotPleased
Jun 3 2011, 03:16 PM
they dumbed it down in the american version simply too much
While I understand your disdain for the Americanized version remember that the inclusion of Raymond Burr, an American actor, was in reality a necessity in order for this movie to turn a profit in American theaters in 1956. winky
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packmule
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Is Criterion prepping Gojira(1954) for a DVD release?

http://augustragone.blogspot.com/2011/08/criterion-prepping-godzilla-1954-dvd-bd.html

heyo
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G2Kmaster
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Evidnetly, Keith Aiken concurs on Tohokingdom and an individual over there by the name of Tamura is going to have a helping hand. :?
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August Ragone has posted two entries in his blog "The Good, The Bad And Godzilla" that I think will be of great interest to Godzilla movie fans:

http://augustragone.blogspot.com/2011/08/criterion-finds-us-version-of-godzilla.html

http://augustragone.blogspot.com/2011/08/criterion-prepping-godzilla-1954-dvd-bd.html
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G2Kmaster
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That's great, really. Or atleast as far as the films themselves and their impending restorations.
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packmule
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Evan, how many versions of the Toho '54 classic and the '56 Americanized version(GKOTM) do you own? heyo

Me:

Gojira(1954) - the Region 4/PAL DVD from 'Madman Entertainment & two(2) copies of the R1 Classic Media release

GKOTM(1956) - the Simitar R1 DVD, the Classic Media R1 release
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G2Kmaster
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I own both of those plus a home made bootleg of Cozzilla, which was done before I found out about awesome tools like keepvid and DVD Flick DVD maker.


As for copies of the two main versions, I have the Simitar, Goodtimes, and both Classic Media DVDs of GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS. I just have the CM copy of Gojira. Not to mention a VHS of the Classic Media version of Godzilla.
Edited by G2Kmaster, Sep 3 2011, 01:20 PM.
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Godzilla King Of The Monsters(1956) will be broadcast on Turner Classic Movies(TCM) on Saturday, October 29, 2011 @ 1:45 PM EST(Eastern Standard Time).
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Question: Why did you want to know how many versions of GODZILLA that I owned?
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Sep 5 2011, 11:27 AM
Question: Why did you want to know how many versions of GODZILLA that I owned?
Answer: curiosity. winky
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packmule
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This is a test post. I'm having a problem seeing my previous post displaying correctly.
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Sep 5 2011, 11:27 AM
Question: Why did you want to know how many versions of GODZILLA that I owned?
Answer: curiosity. winky
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packmule
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Armand Vaquer has spotted what appears to be an error of continuity in the events of Godzilla's primary rampage in Tokyo in the '54 classic Gojira. To see what I'm referring to click the link to read Armand Vaquers' blog entry about this goof: http://armandsrancho.blogspot.com/2011/09/godzilla-continuity-error.html?spref=fb
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G2Kmaster
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Cool observation. Guess it took quite an eye seeing that this is before the Criterion DVD release. dancing admin
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